Brooks' 34 Leads Rockets Past Lakers

Former University of Oregon star Aaron Brooks stole the show on Sunday by leading the Houston Rockets to a 99-97 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 thus evening the series at two games each. Brooks scored a career high 34 points for the Rockets, a team thought to be lost without star center Yao Ming.

(Photo) Houston Rockets' Aaron Brooks (0) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol of Spain, defends during the second half for two of his 34 points in Game 4 of their second round Western Conference NBA playoff basketball series Sunday, May 10, 2009 in Houston. The Rockets won 99-87. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

Brooks demonstrated the same versatility Duck fans were familiar with by his outside shooting and his ability to drive to the basket. Brooks was 12-for-20 in field goal shooting including 4-for-9 in 3-point attempts and was perfect from the free throw line by hitting all six of his attempts. He also recorded three assists, two rebounds and a blocked shot in the pivotal Game 4 in the Western Conference playoffs.

Brooks is the 10th all-time leading scorer at Oregon with 1,511 points in 115 games, a starter in 110 contests. He is one of 29 players in school history to have amassed 1,000 points or more.

The Rockets were thought to be out of an chance to compete with the Lakers when it was announced that 7-6 Yao Ming was lost for the remainder of the playoffs with a fractured foot. However, the Rockets rallied behind Brooks and a hot shooting Shane Battier who nailed five 3-pointers of his own to help the Rockets build a 59-36 halftime lead.

The Lakers were led by center Pau Gasol's 30 points. Kobe Bryant scored just 15 points on a miserable 7-of-17 shooting performance.

The series picks up again on Tuesday at the Staples Center in LA and the game will be televised by TNT.